The first camp of the summer involving Devils prospects is team USA's National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid. Players are competing for a spot on the WJC team. The camp has been split into two teams (Blue vs. White) with Devils prospect's Reid Boucher, Stefan Matteau, and Blake Pietila on the White team. Coming into the camp here is what Chris Peters wrote on his fantastic blog, the United States of Hockey:

Reid Boucher — Sarnia Sting — NJD, 4th, 99, 2011 — Of the players in camp, Boucher might be the most natural goal-scorer, with his ridiculous release and penchant for big goals. He scored eight, almost all of them hugely important, at the 2011 World U18s. Boucher doesn’t have great size, but he’s strong on the puck. He’s also not the best skater in the world, which could hold him back. Boucher is really going to need to convert on the opportunities he’s expected to in camp to prove he can bring that nasty goal-scoring touch to this team. With his international track record, I think Boucher is going to be given every opportunity to earn a spot on this squad.

Stefan Matteau — Blainville-Boisbriand Armada — NJD, 1st, 29, 2012 — After being barred by the IIHF from participating at the World U18s for Team USA on a bogus eligibility issue, Matteau has been cleared to play for the U.S. going forward. It’s a good thing, too. Matteau has power-forward skills including powerful skating, strength on the puck and the ability to throw his weight around. He should have a productive first half in his first season in the QMJHL, but can also give himself some early positioning for a spot on Team USA with a breakout performance in camp. Having lost the U18 world championship as a crucial evaluation event, Matteau should come out flying in Lake Placid. His first-round pedigree and edgy game make him an early favorite to make the final roster.

Blake Pietila — Michigan Tech University — NJD, 5th, 129, 2011 — Though tucked away at Michigan Tech, Pietila put together quite a freshman season for the Huskies. He tallied 24 points including 10 goals, but his real value is in his ability to play defensively. Pietila would be an ideal candidate to match up against opponents’ top lines in a shut-down role. He can grind it out with the best of them and has the strength and the motor to be successful. Pietila is good on the forecheck, he can get some minutes on the penalty kill and yes, he can pop in the odd goal. His grind-it-out, blue-collar style could be just what this team needs in Ufa. If he shows that style in camp, he’ll position himself well for December.

Here is where these guys stand through the first two intrasquad scrimmages: Boucher (1-1-2), Matteau (1-0-1 2 PIM), Pietila (0-0-0)

Each split squad will play a scrimmage tomorrow (White vs. Sweden 4:30), then the roster will be cut down and the rest of the schedule is USA vs. Finland on Wednesday at 4:00, USA vs. Sweden on Thursday at 4:00, and USA vs. Finland on Saturday at 1:00.

Edited by thefiestygoat, 20 September 2012 - 07:10 PM.

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RIP Pat Burns -- RIP Alexander Vasyunov and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Winner of the 2008 Sergei Brylin Award for Most Underrated Poster
Co-Winner of the 2011 Scott Bertoli Award for Best Minor League Poster, Winner of the 2012 Scott Bertoli Award

I would assume Jorg and Daly are basically done if they even ever had a change here. Daly clearly putting education as his number one priority (I think) and Jorg puts up well medicore numbers in the Swiss league.

I hope all 3 make the USA team. Maybe Pietela is a long shot to make it? But then again, you need grinders too. I actually think Lou's timing on all these guys is pretty darn good. Marty/Moose retire, Wedge/Kinkaid are ready to step in.Merrill/Larsson will be the next Carlson/Alzner duoPatty has Boucher to take his spot in a few years.

Wewill go from being the oldest nhl team to one of the youngest

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"Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option" - M.A.

Thanks for the kind words everyone! I'm happy to have hockey to follow again!

I think TG tweeted today that Kerfoot is going to Harvard.

This is correct, I missed that tweet earlier but I am going to update the original post. Looks like he chose Harvard over Boston College.

I hope all 3 make the USA team. Maybe Pietela is a long shot to make it? But then again, you need grinders too.

It seems like Matteau has the best shot out of the 3 to make the team since he has a nice mix of offensive skill and physical play. I wouldn't be shocked to see Pietila make the team instead Boucher since he seems like a real solid defensive forward while Boucher has one great skill (shot) but not a well rounded game beyond that. Hoping all 3 make it though!

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RIP Pat Burns -- RIP Alexander Vasyunov and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Winner of the 2008 Sergei Brylin Award for Most Underrated Poster
Co-Winner of the 2011 Scott Bertoli Award for Best Minor League Poster, Winner of the 2012 Scott Bertoli Award

Patrick Daly retired from hockey, which is just as well, he wasn't getting any playing time at college.

I believe Kerfoot is attending Harvard in 2013 - I think he's playing another season in the BCHL. Which is fine, given that the Devils drafted 5 forwards from junior hockey this year, those guys will have to come into the system around the same time (and it's likely NJ passes on signing at least one of them).

USA White lost to Sweden 5-1: Boucher (DNP), Matteau (PPA, 2 PIM), and Pietila (No points/penalties). Chris Peters says the US is going to cut down the players to the 20's so hopefully the Devils 3 make it.

I believe Kerfoot is attending Harvard in 2013 - I think he's playing another season in the BCHL. Which is fine, given that the Devils drafted 5 forwards from junior hockey this year, those guys will have to come into the system around the same time (and it's likely NJ passes on signing at least one of them).

This is correct and I updated the original post. He'll be entering his second season with the Coquitlam Express and should put up some lofty numbers given that he went 25-44-69 in 51 last year.

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RIP Pat Burns -- RIP Alexander Vasyunov and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Winner of the 2008 Sergei Brylin Award for Most Underrated Poster
Co-Winner of the 2011 Scott Bertoli Award for Best Minor League Poster, Winner of the 2012 Scott Bertoli Award

Fantastic news! It is interesting that they only cut down the camp to 34 guys. Hopefully the Devils prospects can impress over the next 3 games (if they each get into all 3 that is) and earn an invite to the pre-WJC camp in a few months.

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RIP Pat Burns -- RIP Alexander Vasyunov and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Winner of the 2008 Sergei Brylin Award for Most Underrated Poster
Co-Winner of the 2011 Scott Bertoli Award for Best Minor League Poster, Winner of the 2012 Scott Bertoli Award

Boucher and Pietila didn't play today, I have to imagine they will get a chance to prove themselves against Sweden tomorrow. Keep in mind there are still 19 forwards in camp so they have to divide the ice time up.

The US defeated Finland 5-2. Matteau had a goal. His line earned a lot of praise from Chris Peters and Corey Pronman:

The US defeated Sweden 10-2. Matteau did not play after playing yesterday, Boucher and Pietila played instead. Boucher skated on a line with Sarnia Sting teammate and 3rd overall draft pick Alex Galchenyuk and Ranger's 2011 1st round pick J.T. Miller and recorded a slashing minor. Pietila played a fourth line defensive role but was able to record 2 assists.

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RIP Pat Burns -- RIP Alexander Vasyunov and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Winner of the 2008 Sergei Brylin Award for Most Underrated Poster
Co-Winner of the 2011 Scott Bertoli Award for Best Minor League Poster, Winner of the 2012 Scott Bertoli Award

Cole Bardreau and Devils prospect Blake Pietila have been filming these funny interviews during the US camp this past week. They have 3 episodes so far, here is the 3rd one which features another Devils prospect, Reid Boucher. Check out what he bought!

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RIP Pat Burns -- RIP Alexander Vasyunov and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Winner of the 2008 Sergei Brylin Award for Most Underrated Poster
Co-Winner of the 2011 Scott Bertoli Award for Best Minor League Poster, Winner of the 2012 Scott Bertoli Award

Matteau played LW on the 1st line with Fogarty and Biggs, Boucher was a LW on the 2nd line with Trocheck and Kerdiles, and Pietila was a LW on the 4th line with Boyd and Blackwell. A lot of the big name US players were scratches so this game seemed like a chance for them to evaluate other players.

Blake Pietila — If the U.S. wants to have a shutdown line in Ufa, I think Pietila made a great case for why he should be on it in this camp. Relentless on the puck, he just never quits on a play. He’s showing much better speed than I remember out of him and has played the body. He’s a guy that wants to take the puck from you, and wants to do something with it when he gets it. Pietila has some offensive ability too, even if he lacks a that little bit of finish. No matter what, I think he has positioned himself well for a roster spot.

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RIP Pat Burns -- RIP Alexander Vasyunov and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Winner of the 2008 Sergei Brylin Award for Most Underrated Poster
Co-Winner of the 2011 Scott Bertoli Award for Best Minor League Poster, Winner of the 2012 Scott Bertoli Award

Pietila had a season above, I think, expectations last year too. Could be a guy that's a little better than people thought at draft time. Definitely been interesting seeing how he has done.

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